Sefton Council is set to approve controversial plans to build a 68-foot mobile phone tower in the heart of Hightown.

Clarke Telecom, acting on behalf of Vodafone Limited and Telefonica UK, has lodged plans for a 21-metre tower in Hightown, which it says will boost reception for the area’s 02 and Vodafone customers.

Last month Hightown residents Kerry Brady and her partner Mark Pearson told the ECHO that they feared the mast will spoil the village, which is noted for its history and wildlife.

A document on Sefton’s website states that they have now received a petition signed by 402 residents who are opposed to the mast.

The majority of objections to the petition make following points; the mast is in the middle of a protected village, the mast will tower over the village and that three alternative sites have been offered to the applicant

Sefton has also received 143 letters of objection to the mast , which raise the following issues; the mast would ruin the appearance of a pretty village green, the proposed location affects a large amount of people, the site is close to where children catch buses and trains and the mast could ruin village life.

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Some residents have raised concerns about the masts’s proximity to Altcar army training camp , where helicopters sometimes land. But Sefton overruled their concerns, stating that Altcar is not an ‘aerodrome.’

Sefton has also received letters of objection from Hightown parish council and St Stephen’s church council.

Sefton also say that they have received four letters of support which argue that Hightown is a mobile phone blackspot and that the ‘visual intrusion’ from the mast is minimal in comparison to the benefits.

In summary Sefton said: “The proposal is ‘permitted development’. The prior approval procedure means that the principle of development is not an issue and only factors of siting and appearance can be considered. Other sites have been assessed by the applicants and have been discounted for a variety of reasons. It is recommended that approval be given.

It is accepted that the upper part of the mast will be seen from many vantage points. This is inevitably the case as a clear line of sight is needed in order to provide a strong signal. However, much of the mast will be screened from many public vantage points and it is concluded the appearance of the mast will not have an unacceptable impact on the character of the local area.”